When I got back home, the exhaustion of the day hit me like a tidal wave. All I wanted to do was crawl into my bed and wake up from this nightmare. I slowly removed my dress, feeling the weight of the fabric as I let it fall to the floor, and headed to the bathroom. The cool tiles under my feet were a stark contrast to the heat radiating from my frustration and sadness. I methodically removed my makeup, watching the smudges and colors swirl down the drain, a symbolic cleansing of the day's events. I took off my jewelry, each piece clinking softly as I placed it on the counter. Finally, I slipped into my favorite red silk night set, the smooth fabric offering a small comfort.
Seeking a distraction, I brought my laptop out and settled onto my bed. With a deep breath, I applied to my dream school for my master's degree. Studying psychology had always been my passion; the intricate workings of the human brain and its functions fascinated me endlessly. As I filled out the application, I felt a glimmer of hope and excitement. This was my chance to delve deeper into the mysteries of the mind, to understand what makes us who we are.
Once the application was submitted, I needed something to kill the time and distract me from my turbulent thoughts. I opened Netflix and started scrolling through the options, finally settling on a movie. As the film played, I found it hard to concentrate, my mind kept drifting back to the events of the day. Just as I was about to give up on the movie entirely, I heard a soft knock at the door. I knew immediately who it was. Mira.
She walked in hesitantly, her small frame almost swallowed by the oversized hoodie she wore. She sat down at the edge of my bed and clasped her hands together, her eyes glossy with unshed tears. Mira scooted closer to me, her vulnerability palpable. "Ava, I know you're upset. I'm really sorry," she said, her voice trembling and barely above a whisper. She sniffled, wiping at her eyes. "Dad said not to tell... I... I didn't know what to do," she continued, her voice breaking as she finally let the tears fall.
Seeing her like this broke my heart. I sat up and reached out, taking her hands in mine. They were cold and shaking. I understood that it wasn't entirely her fault. Our father had put her in an impossible position. But she was my sister. She should have confided in me. I was hurt, there was no denying that, but looking at her now, so remorseful and broken, I knew I couldn't stay mad forever.
"It's okay," I said softly, forcing a smile to cheer her up. "I understand, Mira. I know you didn't mean to hurt me." I pulled her into a hug, feeling her small frame shake with sobs.
I gently pulled her away from me, her cheeks and nose now red and blotchy from crying. I took her face in my hands, wiping away the last of her tears with my thumbs. "Would you like to help me shop for shoes online?" I asked, trying to ease the lingering tension in the air. I smiled at her, hoping to bring some light back into her eyes.
She chuckled softly, a sound that was both a relief and a joy to hear. Her nod was vigorous, and a small, genuine smile began to form on her lips. "Really? I'd love that!" she said, her voice still a bit shaky but brighter.
I shifted over, making room for her on the bed. She climbed up beside me, and I opened my laptop again. The screen illuminated our faces, casting a warm glow in the dim room. I navigated to one of our favorite online stores, and together we started browsing through the endless options of shoes. Each pair seemed more extravagant than the last, and we found ourselves laughing and joking about which ones would look best.
"Oh, look at these!" Mira exclaimed, pointing to a pair of bright red stilettos. "You'd totally rock these, Ava!"
I laughed, shaking my head. "Maybe if I want to look like I'm ready to take on the world," I replied, imagining myself strutting around in those heels.
We continued like this for what felt like hours, getting lost in the fun of our shared activity. Every now and then, Mira would show me a pair of shoes, her eyes lighting up with excitement. I'd make a comment, and we'd both dissolve into giggles. The heaviness of the earlier conversation gradually lifted, replaced by a light-hearted camaraderie that only sisters can share.
As we scrolled through the site, we started making plans for the future. "When you get into that master's program," Mira said, her voice filled with genuine belief and excitement, "we'll have to celebrate. Maybe with a shopping spree?"
I smiled at her enthusiasm. "Deal," I agreed. "And you can help me pick out the perfect shoes for my first day."
"Absolutely!" she replied, her eyes sparkling. "We'll find something that screams 'I'm here to conquer the world!'"